A solid-phase radioassay for the detection of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies in different immunoglobulin classes.

A convenient technique suitable for the routine estimation of IgG and IgA anti-thyroglobulin antibodies has been devised. The assay involves the binding of anti-thyroglobulin to human thyroglobulin linked to the surface of plastic tubes; the amount of antibody bound is then determined by adding radiolabelled anti-human IgG or IgA. IgG antibody was raised in virtually all patients and significantly elevated levels of IgA antibody were also found in some patients. The test should prove helpful in diagnosis and provide quantitative evaluation of research studies.